JP4365577B2 - Printer pen carriage support - Google Patents

Abstract

A printer pen carriage support (402) for a printer (400) is disclosed. The printer pen carriage support includes a cantilever that fits within a groove of a pen carriage (408) and provides support for the pen carriage. Support structures, such as bushings or bearings, may be included to assist in pen carriage movement along the cantilever. <IMAGE>

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to printers, and more specifically to a printer pen carriage support.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Printers using a pen carriage (generally also referred to as a print cartridge or pen assembly) are well known in the art. The pen carriage usually moves along a guide rod in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the print medium, and ejects ink onto the surface of the print medium to create a desired print image.
[0003]
For example, in the conventional example using Meryl shown in FIG. 1, an inkjet printer 10 having a printer head carriage 20 that reciprocates along a scanning axis 22 on a guide rod 24 is depicted (see Patent Document 1). Common guide rods have several drawbacks, but these are relatively expensive, have their ends securely attached to the printer housing support, and are accurate to the printer mechanism. For example, the relative difficulty of positioning the rod with respect to the paper path.
[0004]
In addition, the guide rod must be very rigorously designed to properly support the pen carriage and to be positioned to maintain accurate mechanical alignment between the pen carriage and the print media. Often multiple guide rods or a single guide rod and additional guides are provided. For example, in the conventional example by Kumar et al., Double support and guide rails 32 and 34 are employed to support and guide the carriage assembly 20 as disclosed in FIG. 2 (see Patent Document 2). Also, as disclosed in FIG. In the conventional example of the above, a slide rod 36 is disclosed together with a support shock absorber 30 moving along a guide 32, and the carriage 20 is supported and guided by these (see Patent Document 3). In the case of a plurality of guide rods or a single guide rod and an additional support, the same drawbacks as described above for a single guide rod are present to a greater degree. Further, providing multiple guide rods or supports for the pen assembly increases design and manufacturing costs and increases complexity. This results in a need for an improved pen assembly support.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
US Pat. No. 6,299,270 (FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
US Pat. No. 6,283,572 (FIG. 2)
[Patent Document 3]
US Pat. No. 5,971,524 (FIG. 2)
[Patent Document 4]
US Pat. No. 4,466,753 [Patent Document 5]
US Pat. No. 6,095,628 [Patent Document 6]
US Pat. No. 6,312,082 [Patent Document 7]
US Pat. No. 5,971,524 [Patent Document 8]
US Pat. No. 4,643,602 gazette
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above objects include a housing (404), a pen carriage (408) carrying a pen for ejecting a substance onto a sheet of print media moving in the vicinity, and a cantilever (512) fitted in a groove (510) of the pen carriage. This is solved by a printer (400) comprising a pen carriage support (402) coupled to a housing, characterized in that it is coupled to and supports the pen carriage.
[0007]
In addition, the above-described problem is a pen carriage (408) having a groove on the first side and carrying a pen for discharging a substance, and a cantilever that fits into the groove of the pen carriage and supports the pen carriage It is also solved by a pen carriage assembly comprising a pen carriage support (402) having
[0008]
The printer pen carriage support includes a cantilever that fits into a groove in the pen carriage. The cantilever provides the primary support for the pen carriage as it moves along the printer pen carriage support.
[0009]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to represent similar components.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 4 illustrates a printer 400 that includes a pen carriage support 402 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The printer 400 includes a housing 404, a print medium tray 406, and a pen carriage 408 supported by a pen carriage support 402. The printer 400 is schematic and represents any type of printer that has moved the pen somehow to eject ink or other material onto the print medium. The printer 400 is an inkjet printer, for example.
[0011]
In one example that outlines the operation, the printer 400 uses a drive mechanism (not shown) to move the print media sheet from the print media tray 406. The print medium sheet passes in the vicinity of the pen carriage 408, and the pen carriage 408 moves on the pen carriage support 402 along the scanning axis 410 (x axis), and ejects ink onto the print medium to produce a desired print image. Generate. The drive belt or cable or other means used with the motor provides the force necessary to advance the pen carriage 408 along the path provided by the pen carriage support 402, as is well known in the art. It is. The ribbon wire provides control signals to the pen carriage 408, actuates related electrical components, and controls ink ejection.
[0012]
The pen carriage 408 may also include one or more cartridges, pens or print heads that can eject one or more types of inks or other materials, which can be removed from the pen cartridge 408. May also be semi-permanently or permanently mounted in the pen cartridge 408. For example, the pen carriage 408 may include one or more inkjet pens so that black and white or color images can be provided.
[0013]
The pen carriage support 402 may be made from wood, plastic, metal or metal alloy, or any other material with the required support and stiffness. For example, the pen carriage support 402 includes protrusions, cantilevers, flanges, and other sheet metal that is bent or cut and bent to form a support structure for the pen carriage 408. Usually, the notch does not extend over the entire length of the pen carriage support 402 and is provided only in the portion where the pen carriage 408 moves. The pen carriage support 402 may also include a plastic or composite type material formed or molded into a shape that supports the pen carriage 408.
[0014]
Details of the pen carriage support 402 and the pen carriage 408 whose outline is shown in FIG. 4 will be described below based on a specific embodiment and shown in the corresponding diagram. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion cut along line 1-1 in FIG. 4 to illustrate a pen carriage support 502 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The pen carriage support 502 supports the pen carriage 504 that moves along the pen carriage support 502.
[0015]
The pen carriage support 502 is provided with a cantilever 512 that fits into a groove 510 (ie, slot) in the pen carriage 504. The pen carriage 504 slides along a cantilever 512 that provides the necessary support and mechanical alignment. The groove 510 is a friction guide that fits tightly around the cantilever 512 so that the pen carriage 504 can easily slide along the scanning axis 410. Alternatively, bushings, bearings, wheels, or other roller or slide devices may be employed to smooth the sliding of the pen carriage 504 on the cantilever 512 as described below.
[0016]
The cantilever 512 provides general alignment with respect to the y-axis, i.e., mechanical support and alignment. In order to maintain proper alignment with the z-axis of the pen carriage 504, resistance is applied to the movement in the direction away from the pen carriage support 502 using the weight of the pen carriage 504 (for example, movement in the z-axis direction). ), And gravity can be used. Alternatively, or simultaneously with gravity, a drive belt (or cable) used to move the pen carriage 504 can be connected to the pen carriage 504 at, for example, position 506 or position 508. In this way, the drive belt restricts or resists the movement of the pen carriage 504 in the positive z-axis direction due to its tension.
[0017]
As described above, the pen carriage support 502 may be made of any material that provides sufficiently rigid mechanical support for the pen carriage 504. For example, when the pen carriage support 502 is formed by cutting and bending a sheet metal, the final metal shape has inherent rigidity and becomes a part integrated with the support structure. Furthermore, this processing can be realized at a lower cost than the structure according to the prior art, and fixing and positioning in the printer 400 are easy. As described above, when the cutting / bending process is performed, the cutting portion is formed only along the portion where the pen carriage 504 moves.
[0018]
6 shows a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support 602 according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG. The pen carriage support 602 provides a cantilever 608 that fits in the groove 606 of the pen carriage 604, thereby supporting the pen carriage 604 that moves along the pen carriage support 602. The groove 606 is a friction guide, but may also include a bushing or roller that allows the pen carriage 604 to slide easily along the scan axis 410 (eg, a roller or sliding device).
[0019]
Cantilever 608 provides alignment, i.e., mechanical support and alignment, with respect to the y and z axes. As shown, the cantilever 608 includes a first portion 608 (1) extending in the z-axis direction and a second portion 608 (2) extending in the y-axis direction, which are the y-axis of the pen carriage 604. And act to control movement in both the z-axis. A drive belt or other means attached to the pen carriage 604 controls the movement of the pen carriage 604 along the x-axis.
[0020]
7 shows a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support 702 according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG. The pen carriage support 702 supports the pen carriage 704 that moves along the pen carriage support 702 by providing a cantilever 706 that fits into the groove 708 of the pen carriage 704. The pen carriage support 702 and the pen carriage 704 are similar to the pen carriage support 502 and the pen carriage 504, respectively, but the pen carriage support 702 has a cantilever formed between the sides like the pen carriage support 502. The difference is that a cantilever 706 is formed on one side of the pen carriage support 702.
[0021]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support 802 according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG. The pen carriage support 802 supports the pen carriage 804 that moves along the pen carriage support 802 by providing a cantilever 806 that fits into the groove 808 of the pen carriage 804. The pen carriage support 802 is similar to the pen carriage support 602 (FIG. 6), but the main difference is that the pen carriage support 602 has a cantilever provided between its sides. In 802, the cantilever 806 is provided on one side.
[0022]
9 shows a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support 902 taken along line 1-1 in FIG. 4 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The pen carriage support 902 includes a cantilever 908 for supporting the pen carriage 904 using the groove 910. The pen carriage support 902 and the pen carriage 904 are similar to the structure shown in FIG. . However, the pen carriage support 902 and the pen carriage 904 are different in that a support structure 906 that can be realized as a part of the pen carriage support 902 or the pen carriage 904 is added.
[0023]
The support structure 906 assists the movement of the pen carriage 904 along the pen carriage support 902 and can be placed at various points between the pen carriage support 902 and the pen carriage 904. The support structure 906 is a friction-relieving ridge, bushing, bearing, roller, wheel, or other roller or sliding structure.
[0024]
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the pen carriage support 1002 according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG. The pen carriage support 1002 includes a cantilever 1008 that supports the pen carriage 1004 using a groove 1010. The structures of the pen carriage support 1002 and the pen carriage 1004 are similar to those shown in FIG. However, pen carriage support 1002 and pen carriage 1004 differ in that they include a support structure 906 that can be provided as part of pen carriage support 1002 or pen carriage 1004.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the support structure 906 can be employed in either embodiment to reduce friction and facilitate movement of the pen carriage on the pen carriage support. is there. The support structure 906 can also be located at various effective load points. Referring to FIG. 9 as an example, the support structure 906 (1) absorbs a part of the load, that is, stress applied along the z-axis between the pen carriage 904 and the pen carriage support 902, and reduces the frictional force. is doing.
[0026]
FIG. 11 depicts a pen carriage support 1104 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the pen carriage support 1104 supports the pen carriage 1106 and is attached to the housing support 1102. The housing support 1102 is attached to a part of or inside the housing 404, and fixes the pen carriage support 1104. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of various attachment methods for fixing the pen carriage support in the printer 400. For example, the pen carriage support 1104 is fitted in the groove 1110 of the housing support 1102 in the figure. Alternatively or in addition, the pen carriage support 1104 can be secured, for example, at point 1108, with rivets, screws, or similar fittings.
[0027]
FIG. 12 is a view showing a part of the pen carriage support 1104 and explains how one end of the pen carriage support 1104 can be fitted or fitted in the groove 1110. Further, each side of the pen carriage support 1104 can be bent at a right angle, and the pen carriage support 1104 can be fixed to the housing support 1102 using an attachment such as a rivet or a screw.
[0028]
The embodiments described above and illustrated are illustrative of the present invention and are not limiting. Furthermore, it goes without saying that various changes and modifications can be made based on the principle of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.
[0029]
Finally, the following content is disclosed regarding the embodiment of the present invention.
(Embodiment 1)
A housing (404);
A pen carriage (408) for carrying a pen for ejecting a substance onto a sheet of print media moving in the vicinity;
A printer comprising a pen carriage support (402) coupled to a housing, wherein the pen carriage is coupled to and supported by a cantilever (512) fitted in a groove (510) of the pen carriage. (400).
[0030]
(Embodiment 2)
The printer according to Embodiment 1, wherein the cantilever completely supports the pen carriage.
[0031]
(Embodiment 3)
The printer of embodiment 1, further comprising at least one support structure (906) provided between the pen carriage support and the pen carriage.
[0032]
(Embodiment 4)
4. The printer of embodiment 3, wherein the support structure comprises at least one of a bushing, a ridge, a bearing, a roller, and a wheel.
[0033]
(Embodiment 5)
The cantilever (608) includes a first section (608 (1)) that substantially supports the pen carriage along a first axis, and the pen carriage substantially along a second axis. The printer according to the first embodiment, which includes a second section (608 (2)) to be supported.
[0034]
(Embodiment 6)
The printer according to Embodiment 1, wherein the pen is an ink jet cartridge, an ink pen, or a print head.
[0035]
(Embodiment 7)
The printer according to embodiment 1, wherein the pen carriage support is made of at least one of wood, plastic, metal or alloy.
[0036]
(Embodiment 8)
A pen carriage (408) having a groove on the first side and carrying a pen for discharging a substance, and a pen carriage support having a cantilever fitted in the groove of the pen carriage and supporting the pen carriage (402).
[0037]
(Embodiment 9)
The pen carriage assembly according to embodiment 8, further comprising a support structure (906) provided between the pen carriage support and the pen carriage.
[0038]
(Embodiment 10)
The cantilever (608) substantially supports the pen carriage along a first axis and a first section (608 (1)) that substantially supports the pen carriage along a second axis. A pen carriage assembly according to embodiment 8, including a second section (608 (2)).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a conventional guide rod for a print cartridge.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a conventional carriage assembly component support structure.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a conventional carriage support structure.
FIG. 4 depicts a printer including a pen carriage support according to one embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support according to an embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG.
9 is a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG.
10 is a cross-sectional view of a pen carriage support according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 1-1 in FIG.
FIG. 11 shows a pen carriage support according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows a part of a pen carriage support according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
400 Printer 402 Pen carriage support 404 Housing 408 Pen carriage 510 Groove 512, 608 Cantilever 608 (1) Cantilever first section 608 (2) Cantilever second section 906 Support structure

Claims (16)

A housing;
A pen carriage that transports a pen that ejects a substance onto a sheet of print media that moves in the vicinity of the pen carriage; and
A pen carriage support coupled to the housing, comprising a cantilever that fits into a groove of the pen carriage, and is engaged with the pen carriage by the cantilever to support the pen carriage. A printer comprising: a body. A housing;
A pen carriage that transports a pen that ejects a substance onto a sheet of print media that moves in the vicinity of the pen carriage; and
A pen carriage support coupled to the housing, comprising a cantilever that fits into a groove of the pen carriage, and is engaged with the pen carriage by the cantilever to support the pen carriage. A printer , wherein the cantilever allows the pen carriage to slide along a scanning axis . The printer according to claim 1, wherein the cantilever completely supports the pen carriage. A motor connected to the housing;
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a driving belt connected to the motor and the pen carriage, wherein the motor moves the pen carriage along the pen carriage support via the driving belt. The printer according to any one of 3) . The printer according to claim 4 , wherein the tension acting on the drive belt adds resistance to movement of the pen carriage in a direction away from the pen carriage support . Claims wherein the pen carriage support is provided between the groove of the pen carriage, and further comprising at least one support structure for sliding the pen carriage along a scan axis in said pen carriage support on Item 6. The printer according to any one of Items 1 to 5 . The printer according to claim 6 , wherein the support structure includes at least one of a bushing, a ridge, a bearing, a roller, and a wheel. The cantilever is
A first portion for supporting the pen carriage along a first axis extending mainly in a direction away from the pen carriage support;
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second portion that mainly supports the pen carriage along the first axis and a second axis perpendicular to a scanning axis of the pen carriage . Printer. The printer according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the pen carriage support are connected to the housing through fitting grooves formed in the housing. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the pen includes an ink jet cartridge, an ink pen, or a print head. 11. A printer as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pen carriage support is made from at least one of wood, plastic, metal and alloy. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the pen carriage support is made of a plate-like metal and is subjected to cutting and bending processes. A pen carriage for transporting a pen for discharging a substance, the pen carriage having a groove on a first side;
A pen carriage assembly having a cantilever-like portion that fits into a groove of the pen carriage and supports the pen carriage. A pen carriage for transporting a pen for discharging a substance, the pen carriage having a groove on a first side;
Possess a pen carriage support having a cantilevered portion that supports the groove engaging and the pen carriage of the pen carriage, said cantilever, thereby enabling sliding along the pen carriage scan axis Features a pen carriage assembly. 15. The apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising a support structure provided between the pen carriage support and the groove of the pen carriage and configured to slide the pen carriage along a scanning axis on the pen carriage support. A pen carriage assembly as described in. The cantilever-shaped part is
A first portion for supporting the pen carriage along a first axis extending mainly in a direction away from the pen carriage support;
16. A second portion for supporting the pen carriage mainly along the first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the scanning axis of the pen carriage . A pen carriage assembly as described in.

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